before 1 of 2

1
as in to
earlier than since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in against
preceding in space the children always insisted on running before their parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

before

2 of 2

adverb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of before
Preposition
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025 Clubs across the United Kingdom play the ‘Last Post’, lay wreaths and observe a minute’s silence before games in the weeks leading up to the day. Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
Adverb
And like so many times before, Pelosi had control. Philip Elliott, Time, 6 Nov. 2025 Satellite images before and after the crash show the debris path left by the crash. Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
  • The area increased to 80% by 2018, according to state media, after numerous buildings and city walls were restored, and 135 temporary structures inside the compound were torn down.
    Fred He, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The researchers learned that people who ate very similarly to the portfolio diet had a 14% lower risk of developing coronary heart disease or stroke than people who ate less similarly to the diet.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Preposition
  • But age could prove to be Golden State's biggest vulnerability, especially against younger, bigger Western Conference squads like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets.
    Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • From the next great QB to the next big bust, Arch Manning has found something of a sweet spot of normalcy, having steered Texas to wins against Oklahoma and Vanderbilt in the last month.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • Amid those results, former White House adviser Steve Bannon took to social media to warn of the danger ahead for the Republicans.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Call locations ahead to confirm availability, hours and location.
    Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • Raimondo Orsi had already gone back to Argentina to look after his sick mother, and Luis Monti had retired.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • In a recent LinkedIn survey, nearly half of companies expected employees to start using AI, yet 41% of professionals already feel overwhelmed by how quickly they are expected to master it.
    Feon Ang, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
Preposition
  • Flight reductions The FAA has required 40 airports across the country to reduce the number of flights per day.
    Rob Wile, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Everything is dark around us, but the collision itself is a source of energy and the flash of it lights us up.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • Anger and apology Bosch, who was crowned Miss Universe Mexico earlier this year, denounced Nawat for insulting her.
    Anabella González, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Schlegel, a travel adviser from Arlington, Virginia, has told clients to not panic, to monitor their flights and to arrive at the airport early.
    JOSH FUNK, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on before

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!